"He's basically an ex-con from the British Empire. He was put in Australia, where all the convicts went, and he decided to go back to England after his term was served and become the weapons specialist for the zeppelin crew, hence all the weapons," Ben says, lifting Ruby off his shoulder. "On all of our crews, there are a lot of gremlins that need to be extinguished. They chew on all the cords and eat all the piping."

Casey Brose's character, Brixsby Sandpiper, is the navigator and helmsman of The Elandora. "I go down with the first mate and trek around and make sure everything's all right," Casey says. "I'm not the most dashing hero, but a simple navigator."

Mitch Brose portrays an Irish mechanic on the zeppelin, which has been conceived but not constructed yet. The story is that The Elandora was made in Ireland in 1827, and handcrafted by Mitch's character. Mitch is currently drawing the zeppelin, and then Ben will add texture and lighting in Adobe Photoshop, before the three begin constructing the full-size 3D model.

Jamie Peachey

The Brose Brothers -- and a growing number of Valley artists -- take their Steampunk very seriously.

Jamie Peachey

Ben Brose wields Wild West steampunk weapons.

Details

While they're still finalizing the details of the zeppelin crew story, the Brose brothers' steampunk cowboy characters, introduced at Evermore Nevermore this past February, remain popular around Arizona. They'll be reprising them for the Wild Wild West Con next March.

For their costumes, they'll be decked out in various custom leather chaps, gun belts, eye-catching brass weapons, handkerchiefs, and goggles under the brims of their cowboy hats. "[Our characters] have a human side and, soon, an android side," Ben Brose says. "Like I said, I want to take it a step further with Brose Brothers Productions. I'm excited."

And they don't plan on leaving Phoenix anytime soon. "California's kind of like our big step, and finding a studio, possibly," Mitch Brose says. "But we've heard that a lot of studios have been opening up down here, especially in Mesa."

Besides, Ben adds, where else but Arizona can you find so much open desert and so many real ghost and mining towns?

"It's a great setting for steampunk," he says. "We like the cowboy aspect. The Wild West just blows our minds."

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Great article, too bad you had to speak to a poser named McMann. Chub Chubs happens to be well hated in the Phoenix area for his lack of ethic, style, and general attempt to try too hard to be "steampunk". Case in point, see the failed Temporal Rift formerly at Mardis Gras bar in scottsdale. Horrible beyond belief and an amateurish attempt at most.

Unfortunately one has only to see Mr. Mcmann dressed as a cowboy to see that he is simply a hick looking to capitalize on the scene as he was just a cowpoke beforehand. A "Steampunk Trainwreck" as Urban Dictionary tells.

Interesting how the one who called me out won't use their own name. I calling you out! Tell everyone who you are if you even have the courage.

Second if your attempt to call me fat, weak at best. Also if you think calling me a hick or cowpoke is an insult thank you. I actually know plenty of people in the community and they are extremely nice people and they don't hide behind anonymous posts online.

Sure the night at Mardi Gras wasn't a success not everything is such as your attempt to insult me.

"Capitalize" Hmmm...Last time I checked when people start a business they don't do so to lose money. With that said we will just say this is another failed attempt to insult on your part.